Meeting Planner Careers

You can study online to get your event planner certification, there are courses for event planning and wedding planning. In addition you’ll find career information on becoming a certified corporate meeting planner.

Corporate meeting and event planning is an in-demand profession. Learn what it takes to succeed in this exciting and lucrative career path, or take another path and become a bridal consultant.

Whatever path you choose, here are a few (not all) of the certification programs that are available:

Certified Event Professional (CEP)

US Event Guide’s CEP is one of the few certifications you can pursue without having any prior experience in the event or meeting industry. This Certification Program is your chance to learn about this lucrative field and how to begin your new career within a few months.

Certified Meeting Professional (CMP)

The CMP is perhaps one of the most recognized certifications in the event and meeting planning industry. If you plan on a lifelong career in event planning, this certification is an added bonus. Candidates must have three years’ experience and a full-time job in the industry in order to apply for the program.

Certified Special Events Professional

The CSEP designation is the hallmark of professional achievement in the special events industry. It is earned through education, performance, experience, and service to the industry, and reflects a commitment to professional conduct and ethics. Just as with the CMP, candidates must have three years’ of experience in the special events industry and be currently employed (or employed within the last twelve months) in a special events job.

Certified International Meeting Professionals Association
CIMPA offers three certifications; as with the others, there is a minimum of 2–5 years of experience in the field (depending on which certification you are interested in) or a minimum of 3-5 years of volunteering with events.

• CPPM – Certified Planner of Professional Meetings
• CGMP – Certified Global Meeting Professional
• CIMP – Certified Internet Meeting Professional

Regardless of the career path you choose as a meeting planner, one thing is certain: the Internet can be your best friend when it comes to marketing. More specifically, social media can often be the tipping point from a publicized meeting to a well-publicized event. Here is how you can make social media work for you.

Using Your Own Page

If you do not have a professional social media page already, you need to create one–yesterday! Your friends lists will become your contact list for bulletins about upcoming events. Let’s say you are scheduling a convention for administrative professionals, and almost all your friends have such employees. Once you send out a bulletin about the event, you may get some signing up from your list. You will help boost your attendance from one or two notices sent globally–and all for free. Read more…

If you have checked out the career path of an event planner, you already know that there are many different ways you can go. From corporate jobs to freelance world, the possibilities are enormous. Here are some popular careers in the field to help you narrow down your choices.

Meeting Planners

These employees are entrusted with organizing, budgeting, arranging, and executing all kinds of meetings. From corporate board meetings to team building get-togethers, the meeting planner should be ready to assemble events from formal evenings to paint-ball competitions. Knowledge of VOIP is important, as some companies who want to hold international meetings turn to the internet to save money and time. Read more…